Sunday Night Service Notes (Thank-you, Jean)
Dr. Barclay. - Something to Think About
Theme: We need to guard our lives against sin; that we may prosper in his world and spend eternity with Christ in Heaven.
Romans 15:4New King James Version (NKJV)
4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.
Some people today, see the scriptures as outdated myths and meaningless. Yet when we, Christians read the New and Old Testament with true sincerity we are filled with the assurance and veracity of scripture. Christ called himself the Alpha and Omega in the book of revelation-meaning the beginning and the end. The bible clearly tells us that sin leads to utter destruction.
When we search the scriptures we will find many instances and scenarios that are similar. We find that many people, who came to Christ and were born again as teenagers, often walk away from serving Christ and to not come back till about 40 years later. This is similar to the children of Israel who wandered in the desert for 40 years. Due to their unfaithfulness and disobedience their way to the Promised Land took a lot longer than it could have. Our lives become utterly destroyed when idolatry and false religions take over. Much like the temple of Israel was destroyed when the worship of Jehovah was taken out.
The Ten Commandments
20 And God spoke all these words, saying:
2“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
“You shall have no other gods before Me.
We need to build up walls around our lives, thus to keep out ungodly influences and pagan practices. We need to control our spirit man; therefore we need to build up spiritual walls. The walls need to be high and strong. This is Similar to Nehemiah building the walls around the temple. An unguarded city without a wall is broken down city. Our temples can be rebuilt much like the temple in Israel. However his requires a total change of heart on our part. This means repentance and a change of direction in our lives toward God. We must leave all sin and unrighteous, ungodly ways of living behind.
Rev. Bill Annis
Theme: The death of Jesus on the Cross is the only answer to Sin; no worldly or material sacrifice could ever be enough.
Reverend Annis has been pasturing for over 40 years. He talked of how God works in our everyday life experiences. He explained that acceptance of people, does not mean approval of a person’s lifestyle. Before we can work on a person’s life and help transform them into a follower of Christ, we must accept them first.
Reverend Annis was in Delhi recently this year and he spoke of the hunger for Christ by Hindus in India. He was also tremendously encouraged by the dedication and faithfulness of India’s Christians. The Indian’s commitment to Christ and excellent Church attendance should serve as an example for all of us to follow.
If we search the scriptures correctly we will always find that Jesus is the answer to sin problem of the whole world.
In psalm 40 verses 6-10 the psalmist is speaking direct about Christ
Psalm 40:6-8New King James Version (NKJV)
6 Sacrifice and offering You did not desire;
My ears You have opened.
Burnt offering and sin offering You did not require.7 Then I said, “Behold, I come;
In the scroll of the book it is written of me.8 I delight to do Your will, O my God,
And Your law is within my heart.”
My ears You have opened.
Burnt offering and sin offering You did not require.7 Then I said, “Behold, I come;
In the scroll of the book it is written of me.8 I delight to do Your will, O my God,
And Your law is within my heart.”
Sacrifices were always given because of the consciousness of sin. Hebrews 10:1-10 mirrors, repeats psalm 40
Hebrews 10:1-10New King James Version (NKJV)
Animal Sacrifices Insufficient
10 For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. 2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins. 3 But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. 4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.
Christ’s Death Fulfills God’s Will
5 Therefore, when He came into the world, He said:
“Sacrifice and offering You did not desire,
But a body You have prepared for Me.6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin
You had no pleasure.7 Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come—
In the volume of the book it is written of Me—
To do Your will, O God.’”
But a body You have prepared for Me.6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin
You had no pleasure.7 Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come—
In the volume of the book it is written of Me—
To do Your will, O God.’”
8 Previously saying, “Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them” (which are offered according to the law), 9 then He said, “Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.” He takes away the first that He may establish the second. 10 By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
The wages of sin is death; we are free from the wages if we accept the one who settled it – who is Jesus. There is no longer a need for a priest to offer sacrifices, Jesus is the final sacrifice.
We cannot be continuously focused on the unfinished work of others. God is still working on them. We need to always focus on the finished work of Christ, and not be distracted by the failings of others.
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